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Submitted by: Assembly members TRAINIand TESCHEPrepared by: Department of AssemblyFor reading: October 29,2002

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a.ERK'S OPTICE

Date-J~~~ IMMEDIATE RECONSIDERATION

FAILED 12-10-02ANCHORAGE ALASKA

AO NO. 2002-165

AN ORDINANCE OF THE ANCHORAGE ASSEMBLY AMENDING THE UPDATED FARNORTH BICENTENNIAL PARK MASTER PLAN TO PROVIDE FOR AND DEVELOPLITTLE LEAGUE BALL FIELDS IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE PARK;ENACTING A NEW SECTION 25.65.010 TO THE ANCHORAGE MUNICIPAL CODEREQUIRING DEVELOPMENT OF THAT AREA FOR LITTLE LEAGUE BALL FIELDS;ENACTING MEASURES NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE ORDINANCE; ANDPROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATES.

THE ANCHORAGE ASSEMBLY ORDAINS:

Section 1: The Updated Far North Bicentennial Park Master Plan, page 15, secondparagraph is hereby amended to read:

The active recreation area in the southwestern portion of the park is severely limited fordevelopment because of preservation wetlands in the vicinity. A branch of Little CampbellCreek runs near the area. The slopes, while not extensive, are more pronounced thanwithin the revetment road system which is better suited to sport field development. Itappears that a trail system connecting the southern portion of the BLM area and HillsidePark should be a major focus of development within this unit of the park. There is asubstantial need for community park development within the Abbott Loop area (seeAnchorage Park, Greenbelt, and Recreation Facility Plan, February 1985.) Consequently,the 3D-acre area north of Zodiac Manor and east of Abbott Loop Road should be reservedfor community park purposes. [RATHER THAN THE INTENSE DEVELOPMENTASSOCIATED WITH SOME COMMUNITY PARKS, SUCH AS EXTENSIVE SPORTSFIELD DEVELOPMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THIS "ABBOTT LOOP ROADCOMMUNITY PARK" BE CHARACTERIZED BY "LOW-KEY" ACTIVITY AREAS. THESEWOULD INCLUDE A "PLAY MEADOW FOR LIMITED ACTIVE PASTIMES, PICNICSITES, AND TRAILHEAD ACCESS. CAMPBELL PARK COULD SERVE AS APROTOTYPE FOR THE TYPE RECOMMENDED IN THIS INSTANCE.] The site ~Ian for

of the ~ark site.

Section 2: Anchorage Municipal Code Chapter 25 is amended by enactment ofa new section 25.65.010 to read:

AM 631-2002

AO 2002-165Page 2

25.65.010 Far North Bicentennial Park: Little League Fields

Ball fields for little league use shall be developed at a site in the southwest cornerof Far North Bicentennial Park that the Assembly determines to be suitable for ballfields, in accordance with the Updated Far North Bicentennial Park Master Plan (asamended. ) The Assembly shall determ i ne the size, number, and configuration of theball fields.

All attendant and related facilities that the Assembly determines to be appropriatefor the enjoyment and use of the ball fields, such as (but not limited to) dugouts,bathrooms, snack shacks, parking, equipment sheds, bleachers, backstops andfences shall be developed along with the ball fields.

Section 3: Ball field development and site plan,

The Department of Cultural and Recreational Activities is authorized and directedto complete a Little League ball field development and site plan acceptable to the Parksand Recreation Commission for construction of the ball fields under Section 1 and 2 of thisordinance. At a minimum, the plan shall address the appropriate number and configurationof ball fields, related site amenities, parking, traffic flow, buffering, and noise abatement.Consistent with the intent of Section 1 and 2 above and all other provisions of lawgoverning use of municipal facilities and parklands, the plan shall integrate otherrecreational uses of the property and facility with the ball fields and benefit surroundingneighborhoods. To the maximum extent possible, the site plan shall also adhere torelevant development guidelines set forth in the Updated Far North Bicentennial ParkMaster Plan including, but not limited to the following:

1 The siting and design of facilities should take maximum advantage of thecharacteristics of the natural environment;

2. Perpetuation of existing vegetation, particularly upland vegetation, shouldbe sought in site planning.

3. Location of facilities should be made to promote functional relationshipsbetween other park uses.

4. Off-street parking should include landscaping around and within parkingareas. ;

The provision of safe, convenient access for non-motorized modes oftransportation shall be assured;

5.

AM 631-2002

AD 2002-165Page 3

6. Recreational access through the developed area to other areas of the parkshall be made by reservation of trail corridors, trailheads and grade-separated trail crossings;

7. Architectural design: the exterior fabric, color, shape and other details ofbuildings shall complement the natural setting; and

8. Signs: the design and placement of signs should be compatible with the park

setting.

After a minimum of two public hearings, the Plan required by this Section shall becompleted and presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission within twelve (12)months of enactment of this ordinance.

Section 4: Mitigation measures.

Within ninety days of enactment of this ordinance, the Parks and RecreationCommission shall consider and recommend such measures as it deems appropriate tomitigate the loss of natural open space park land to development of a ball field complexrequired by this ordinance. It is the intent of the Assembly that mitigation measuresrecommended by the Commission be capable of implementation within twenty-four monthsof enactment of this ordinance. In this section, "mitigation"means the transfer of land topark status and exemption of such land from future clearing, filling or development, orother such actions as will accomplish the objectives stated below. Land transferred shouldbe of comparable ecological and natural value, and should be situated to allow inclusionin Far North Bicentennial Park through future revision of the park plan. The objectives ofmitigation are to ensure the integrity and continuance of Far North Bicentennial Park aspublic lands with the principal purpose of preserving those lands in as natural a state aspossible and allowing for the public enjoyment of the same.

If recommended, mitigation measures include transfer of PLI land adjacent toBicentennial Park identified in the Updated Far North Bicentennial Park Plan as "PLI-3."While containing extensive wetlands, this tract also contains limited uplands similar innature to those to be developed in the southwest comer of the park. Additionally, while notaccessible by road this tract contains a significant trail system primarily for dog mushingin winter and multi-use in summer. The natural and ecological value, the natural openspace recreation value, and the lack of road access all make this tract not only a strongchoice for mitigation, but may also warrant the added protection of inclusion within the parkfor the benefit of future generations simply on its own merits.

Section 5: Amendment to Far North Bicentennial Park Master Plan

That section entitled "PROHIBITED USES" set forth on page 29 of the Updated Far

AM 631-2002

AO 2002-165Page 4

North Bicentennial Park Master Plan is amended to read:

PROHIBITED USES.

In view of potential degradation of the park... [AND] as a measure of public safety I §n.Q

of Alaska: 2} to ~reserve the streambeds. watershed areas and wildlife habitat in as

state for the benefit of future aenerations the following uses ~ [SHOULD BE] prohibited:

~ Given the extent of develo~ment within the ~ark. including significantrevision of the plan to allow extensive sports field develo~ment within thesouthwest corner of the ~ark. and given develo~ment in adjacent PLllandconve~ed to the Munici~alit~ of Anchorage with the ~ark: no further clearingof land. or draining or fillina of wetlands shall be allowed within Far NorthBicentennial Park.

activities:

~ Maintenance of existing trails. im~rovements of trailhead access. andim~rovement or ex~ansion of the existing trail s~stem

~ fire ~revention and ~ublic safetv

~ develogment of a Little Leaaue ball field complex within the Southwestcomer of the park. as authorized bv amendment to the Plan

~ exgansion and on-going activities at Hilltog Ski Area. as authorized in thecurrent lease with the Municigali~ of Anchorage

Cultural and Recreational Activities.

The restrictions above shall take ~recedence over all other sections of this plan.

AM 631-2002

AD 2002-165Page 5

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Section 6: Intent and Interpretation

By enacting Sections 1 and 2 of this ordinance, the Assembly intends to enact"substantially the same measure" as the Little League Ball Field Initiative certified by theMunicipal Clerk in September, 2002 and relating to development of ball fields in Far NorthBicentennial Park. If there is any conflict between the terms of the measure enacted bySections 1 and 2 of this ordinance and the remaining provisions of this ordinance or anyaction, including preparation and approval of a development and site plan the Parks andRecreation Commission or mitigation required under Section 4 above, the provisions ofSections 1 and 2 shall govern. Sections 3-5 of this ordinance shall be interpreted toimplement or carry out rather than restrict or condition the measure enacted in sections1 and 2 of this ordinance.

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Section 7: Effective dates

Except for section 5 above, all provisions of this ordinance shall take effectimmediately upon passage and approval. Section 5 shall become effective within ninety(90) days provided that the Parks and Recreation Commission is given the opportunity tomake recommendations and comments to the Assembly on the amendment proposed tothe Updated Far North Bicentennial Park Master Plan set forth in that section.

PASSED and approved by the Anchorage Assembly this Ll2lfay of~) 2002.

Ll- U Chair

ATTEST:

._-

EGJ/20020RDI NANCES/AO41

AM 631-2002

MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGEASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM

NO. 631-2002

Meeting Date: October 29, 2002

From: Assemblymembers Traini and Tesche123456789

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AO 2002-165 RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT OF LITTLE LEAGUE BALLFIELDS IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF FAR NORTH BICENTENNIALPARK

Subject:

To resolve a continuing controversy over use of portions of the Far North BicentennialPark for Little League Fields, AD 2002-165 is presented to the Assembly for enactment.

AD 2002-165 would enact a measure substantially the same as1 the Little League BallField Initiative" which was signed by several thousand registered voters and recentlycertified by the Municipal Clerk for a vote at the April 1, 2003 regular election. Sections1 and 2 simply repeat the substance of the proposition and identify a location in theMunicipal Code for the language contained in Section 2 of the initiative.

Section 3 directs the Department of Cultural and Recreational Services to prepare a LittleLeague ball field development and site plan for approval by the Parks and RecreationCommission. At a minimum, the plan will address the number and configuration of ballfields, related site amenities, parking, traffic flow I buffering, and noise abatement.

Section 4 directs the Parks and Recreation Commission to recommend, within ninety days,mitigation measures capable of implementation within two years that would compensatefor the loss of natural open space within the Far North Bicentennial Park used fordevelopment of a ball field complex. Mitigation would include the transfer of land to parkstatus and exemption of such land from future clearing, filling or development. Landtransferred should be of equal or greater ecological and natural value, and should besituated to allow inclusion in Far North Bicentennial Park through future amendment to the

Under Sec. 3.02(d) of the Home Rule Charter, an initiative petition "is void if theAssembly enacts substantially the same measure prior to the election". Except forelimination of an unnecessary reference to what sponsors understand to be BlM'scurrent policy regarding construction activities in the Campbell Tract, sections 1 and 2 ofthe ordinance are identical to the same sections of the little league Ball Field Initiative.

AO 2002-./65

AM 631-2002Far North Bicentennial ParkOctober 29, 2002Page 2

park plan. Mitigation would ensure the integrity and continuance of parklands within Far23456789

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Section 5 would amend the existing Far North Bicentennial Park Plan to prohibit furtherclearing of land, or draining or filling of wetlands within the Park except as necessary tobuild the Little League fields, maintain existing trails and improvements I fire prevention andpublic safety, orto operate and expand the Hilltop Ski Area. Through Section 7 (effectivedates), the amendments to the Far North Bicentennial Park Plan set out in Section 5 wouldnot become effective until the Parks and Recreation Commission has first reviewed andoffered comments to the Assembly as required by AMC 4.60.090.

Section 6states the Assembly's intent to enact substantially the same measure as thatcontained in the Little League Ball Field Initiative recently certified by the Municipal Clerkfor placement on the April 1, 2003 ballot. The section also provides a means for resolvingpotential conflicts between the measure enacted by Sections 1 and 2 and the remainingprovisions of this ordinance, and requires that sections 3-5 be interpreted to implement orcarry out rather than restrict or condition the measure enacted in sections 1 and 2.

Enactment of AO 2002-165 is recommended

Respectfully submitted,

D,.;.L~:2~--- -Dick TrainiChair

EGJ/2002M EMORAN DU MS/ AM67

AO 2002-' 65

North Bicentennial Park in a natural a state and allowing for the public enjoyment of thesame.

Allan TescheAssemblymember

r/J}jr~)t,5f(

Municipality of AnchorageMUNICIPAL CLERK'S OFFICE

Agenda Document Control Sheet

(SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION)DATE PREPARED

1AO 2002-165 -Amending the Updated Far North Bicentennial 2~~2

Indicate Documents Attached

[&JAO D AR [X] AM DAiM'-

DIRECTOR'S NAME

Greg Moyer c- - ,""HIS/HER PHONE NUMBER !c

Park Master PlanDEPARTMENT NAME

2 AssemblyTHE PERSON THE DOCUMENT WAS ACTUALLY PREPARED BY '.

DATEINITIALSCOORDINATED WITH AND REVIEWED BY~-~._-~

Heritaae Land BankMerrill Field AiroortMuniciDal Liaht & Power

Port of AnchoraQeSolid Waste ServicesWater & Wastewater Utility~I

x I Municipal ManaaerCultural & Recreational ServicesEmDlovee RelationsFinance, Chief Fiscal Officerx (. ,-FireHealth & Human ServicesOffice of Manaaement and Bud~etXjManaaement Information ServicesPolicePlannina. Development & Public Works

Development ServicesFacilitv ManaaementPlanninoProject Management & En~ineering

Street MaintenanceTraffic

Public TransDortation DeDartmentPur

X MuniciMunicipal lerk

IOther

'J"'J..!('I (""J"~ l '".5 .J

6 7 PUBLIC HEARING DATE REQUESTED